10 Little-Known Facts About Airports and Flying (That’ll Blow Your Mind at 30,000 Feet)
Sitting in an airport kind of makes you feel like you’re in a weird in-between world.
You’re not really anywhere, you’re not really doing anything, but you’re surrounded by thousands of people going somewhere. I’m literally writing this while I wait for my flight out of Tampa back to Philly…so what better time to dig into the wild, strange, and kinda hilarious world of airports and air travel?
Here are 10 little-known facts about airports and flying that’ll make you see your next trip a little differently (or at least give you something to impress the stranger sitting next to you in 14B).
1. Airplanes Actually Fly Faster Than They Used To… But Trips Take Longer
This one blew my mind: planes today are technically faster than many commercial planes from the past. But flights? They take longer now.
Why? It’s called “padding the schedule.” Airlines started building in extra time to account for delays, air traffic, and gate congestion so they could maintain their “on-time arrival” stats. So if you notice a flight from New York to Chicago used to be 2 hours and now it’s listed as 2 hours and 40 minutes… you’re not crazy.
(Also, fuel-saving measures and routes optimized for cheaper operations can slow things down too.)
If you’re the type to obsessively check your flight status or want to track flights in real time, I recommend grabbing a portable phone charger. Trust me…there’s nothing worse than a dead phone mid-layover when your gate suddenly changes from B2 to E49.
2. Those “Random” Security Screenings? Not Always Random
Ever been pulled aside for extra screening and thought, “Why me?” Hate to break it to you, but it might not be random.
Airports use something called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques) to flag passengers who fit certain behavioral profiles. It’s subtle: unusual nervousness, fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, sweating excessively. And while random checks do happen, if you’re acting a little “off,” you’re way more likely to get that extra pat-down.
Basically… stay chill, even if TSA already stresses you out.
3. Airplanes Are Struck by Lightning More Often Than You Think
You’d think lightning would be a nightmare for planes, right? Turns out, commercial jets get struck by lightning about once a year on average.
But here’s the cool part: they’re designed to handle it. The metal shell acts as a Faraday cage, safely redirecting the electricity around the plane and out without harming anyone or damaging systems.
So next time you’re mid-flight during a storm, take comfort…you’re literally inside a lightning-proof bubble.
4. Most Airports Have Secret Rooms You’ll Never See
Beyond the regular lounges, gates, and food courts, airports have a whole hidden world. There are sleep rooms for pilots and crew, private security bunkers, and “VIP tunnels” used by celebrities, diplomats, and politicians to bypass the crowds.
Some airports even have holding cells. Yep, mini jails tucked away behind the baggage claim.
If you’re interested in behind-the-scenes airport stuff, I linked to my article about why trees are more valuable than diamonds—trust me, it ties in. We don’t think about how much infrastructure hides under our feet until you realize what’s literally under an airport.
5. The Airport Carpet? There’s a Weird Cult Following for It
Ever notice the ugly, weirdly patterned carpet in airports? Turns out, some airport carpets have literal fan clubs. The Portland International Airport carpet became an Instagram celebrity. People took selfies with it. There were socks, t-shirts, mugs… all featuring its bizarre teal-and-mauve pattern.
Sadly, when they replaced it, people legit mourned the old one like it was a fallen celebrity.
Moral of the story: if you’re gonna fall in love with an airport floor, do it while it’s still there.
6. Your Luggage Isn’t Actually Lost Where You Think
Here’s a comforting (or terrifying?) fact: if your luggage is “lost,” it’s rarely lost mid-air. It’s usually sitting in the last airport you departed, left behind because of a last-minute gate change, security check, or loading error.
And if it’s truly unclaimed for 90 days? In the U.S., it’s sold at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama, where you can buy people’s weirdest forgotten souvenirs, clothes, and even electronics.
(Someone needs to make a show about that place!! I’d watch it.)
7. Why Does Airplane Food Taste So Bad?
Okay, yes, some airline meals are just bad. But even when they’re good, they don’t taste the same up in the air.
Why? Because your sense of taste and smell dulls at high altitude. Dry cabin air + lower pressure = your taste buds literally don’t work as well. Airlines have to amp up salt and spices to make food taste normal.
(So maybe that sad chicken parm wasn’t awful… you were just too high up to taste it.)
8. Airport Codes Have Hidden Histories
Ever wonder why LAX ends with an “X”? Or why Chicago is “ORD” instead of “CHI”? Turns out, a lot of airport codes have weird backstories.
ORD stands for Orchard Field, the original name of O’Hare.
LAX added an X when airports expanded from two-letter to three-letter codes. An “X”-tension if you will.
EWR (Newark) uses “W” because “NEW” was already taken.
It’s like airport codes are little secret time capsules of aviation history.
9. Pilots Eat Different Meals to Avoid Food Poisoning
Fun fact: pilots and co-pilots aren’t allowed to eat the same meal from the same source during flights. This reduces the risk of both pilots getting sick from bad food.
If one gets food poisoning, the other still has to land the plane, no doubling over in the cockpit allowed.
Kind of comforting, right? (Also makes you wonder what the flight attendants eat.)
10. The Busiest Airport in the World Might Surprise You
Most people guess JFK or LAX. But the title for the world’s busiest airport (by passenger traffic) usually goes to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
It’s not a glamorous tourist destination. But thanks to its location as a hub and its huge volume of connecting flights, it moves more people than any other airport on the planet.
So next time you’re stuck there during a layover… congrats. You’re part of history.
Quick Travel Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed
While you’re at it, check out this genius luggage scale. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve nervously shuffled things between suitcases in front of a check-in counter, praying I’m under the weight limit. This tiny thing saves so much hassle. Hopefully your husband is as strong as mine and can lift it easily.
Also: get a portable neck pillow with memory foam. Don’t settle for those sad inflatable ones they sell at the gate.
Airports are weird, magical, chaotic places. They’re full of stories, secrets, strange rules, and more hidden layers than you realize.
Next time you’re waiting for a delayed flight, look around…you’re standing inside a giant puzzle of logistics, history, and human drama. And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the weird carpet before it’s replaced.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen or experienced at an airport? I’d love to hear it.
And maybe another time I’ll tell you about the time the lady in front of me had her Butcher Clever confiscated when we landed in Switzerland…meaning she got through TSA in Newark with it.
